Bianco – Grape Republic 750ml

Grape Republic was founded by restaurateur and sommelier Kazuomi Fujimaki in 2015 who up and moved from Tokyo to the village of Shinden in Yamagata.

Grapes are from 85% Yamagata prefecture and 15% Yamanashi prefecture. A blend of Delaware (80%) and Steuben (20%). Whole bunch Delaware sees 2 days skin contact before pressed. Steuben is left on skins for day then blended with the Delaware and aged in stainless steel vats for 7 months. A super fresh and aromatic white wine beaming with tropical fruits.

More about the varierals:

Delaware: The origins of this variety are shrouded in mystery, but the most told story traces its roots back to a Swiss immigrant fleeing persecution in Europe, smuggling grape vines from Burgundy, and crossing them with local varieties in Frenchtown in Delaware County, Ohio. Until it undergoes DNA profiling, we can only guess. This finicky variety has small pink berries that ripen early. Unlike many of its hybrid brethren, it has low yields, low foxiness, and is susceptible to phylloxera.

Niagara: This Concord offspring was bred in 1866 in western New York. It displays the often overstated ‘foxy’ characteristic typical of American hybrids. The berries grow in large bunches where their thin skins make them particularly susceptible to rot and mildew. The vines are somewhat resistant to cold, but it’s a wonder this variety has been so prolific.